tight against my scalp that I winced with every pin she placed. Something told me that she enjoyed torturing me, going so far as to say, “Beauty is pain, little Walker Queen.” She, too, added a condescending tone to the nickname that Madam B gave me at the Resistance meeting.
Since having to up the timeline of our attack, the brothel owner was frantically making plans. Kaye came up to me with a frown. “I need you to deliver a note to my sister in the kitchens,” she told me as Jacob led me to the transport taking us to Cavil’s tower. “I haven’t heard from her in two days, which is uncommon for her. I need to make sure she’s still prepared to poison the drinks.” Kaye placed a note in my palm, and I slipped the tiny scrap of paper into the hidden seam in my dress, which also contained the pill that would make me puke should another member of the Elite try to claim me for the night.
I still wasn’t sure about her plan. It felt wrong killing every member of the guard. I knew that she and her people would make sure the good ones didn’t attend, but I didn’t like the sort of power she had over deciding who was worthy of being saved and who wasn’t. “Okay,” I told her. “How will I know who she is?”
“Her name is Lilac. She’s young, but crazy smart. I’d go see her, but I don’t want to raise suspicions. Your men can sneak you in and out.”
“Okay,” I said with an exhale. “I’ll get this to her.”
Huxley grunted beside me, and I left to load into the transport. Just as I was about to dip into the seat of the transport, Huxley leaned over to whisper in my ear. I shuddered when his breath feathered over my exposed neck. “Don’t deliver that note if it puts you in danger,” his gruff voice said.
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, Hux.” Once more, I was about to move to sit beside Lowe when he gripped my arm and whispered once more.
“Be safe and come back to me. I’ll reward you.” Huxley wasn’t one to say much, but that little promise already had me growing warm. He kept his hand on my arm and pulled me up to him, grabbing my ass with his free hand and kissing me so hard our teeth clashed.
“You better come home,” he growled into my mouth before nipping my bottom lip and slowly easing me into the transport. When the door shut, the entire transport let out a sigh.
“Damn girl, he had me panting. That was hot,” Lowe said while fanning herself.
Cavil’s tower seemed to have more people this time, and the moment the elevator doors opened, Cyler was nearby, inconspicuously waiting to snatch me up the moment my shoe hit the lobby. I worried that Cavil would think he was too eager and would investigate further, but I also couldn’t help but think that, in the drunken state he was in, he wouldn’t remember much of the night. Besides, he was nowhere to be found, and other Elite men snatched up Jade, Lowe, Kaye, and Blythe the moment the doors opened too.
“Hey, Babe,” he growled into my ear while hugging me tightly. “I’ve been so fucking worried. Are you okay?”
I nodded as his lips tickled my earlobe and neck. Each of my nerves were firing off at how close he was. Looking around the beautiful gathering room, I wondered if Cyler and I could sneak off. “Dinner will be starting within the hour. We need to stay here. We can go over and find a seat if you’d like?”
I patted the seam of my dress, remembering my promise to Kaye. “Could you take me to the kitchens? I need to get a glass of water. The drive left me parched.”
Cyler cocked his eyebrow and tilted his head to the side, not quite catching on. I wasn’t sure how much I could say or who was listening. I leaned in, nuzzling against his neck. “I have a message to deliver,” I whispered.
Cyler went rigid and began pulling me towards the opposite side of the room to a less crowded area. “What’s going on?” he asked once sure no one could hear us. I looked around, wondering where Maverick was.
“Kaye gave me a note to give her sister in the kitchens,” I replied.
Cyler dragged his eyes over me with that fiery intensity I loved before saying,